The Runaway Bride is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film starring Mary Astor, Lloyd Hughes, and Paul Hurst. It was directed by Donald Crisp, from a screenplay by Jane Murfin, adapted from the play Cooking Her Goose by H. H. Van Loan and Lolita Ann Westman. The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection. Plot Mary Gray (Mary Astor) and Dick Mercer (David Newell) elope, since Mary's wealthy parents would never approve of the marriage. In Atlantic City, they arrive at the humble efficiency hotel room Mary has taken. Dick is not impressed, and would prefer they stay in a fancier hotel. An argument ensues over whether Dick should remain an idle playboy or go to work. Mary decides to call it off, but Dick refuses to let her, locking her in the room while he goes for a minister. Meanwhile, Red Dugan (Maurice Black) robs a jewelry store and slips into Mary's room (formerly his). Dugan hides a stolen necklace in Mary's handbag, before he and a policeman fatally shoot each other. When Clara Muldoon (Natalie Moorhead), the chambermaid, comes to change the linen, Mary asks her for a hiding place, giving her $300. Clara is about to switch jobs, but gives Mary her new job information instead. After Mary leaves, Clara comes upon Dugan, who manages to tell her that he "put it in her bag" before dying. Police Sergeant Daly (Paul Hurst) questions Clara, then accuses Dick of being Dugan's associate when he returns. Daly takes the pair in for further grilling. As "Sally Fairchild", Mary shows up at the home of wealthy bachelor George Blaine (Lloyd Hughes) to take the job. However, it is clear to George and his valet Williams that there is something not quite right about her. Her manners are too polished for a servant and she is very pretty. (George also notices that the monogram on her purse is MG.) George decides not to hire her, but when a policeman comes and asks for directions, she faints after the man leaves. Under the circumstances, George cannot send her away in that condition, so he decides to hire her after all. Afterward, George examines Mary's purse and finds a pearl necklace. Meanwhile, Clara, who is part of the gang, tells the thieves what she knows. Barney Black, their leader, decides to wait until things quieten down before retrieving the loot. George